Tongzhou district in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province has been making efforts to increase green areas and improve its natural environment.

For example, the district has organized 47 inspections to ensure the protection of over 80,000 mu (5,333.33 hectares) of green areas over the past three years.

Local authorities have also advanced the ecological remediation of a 22.4-kilometer riverbank of the Yangtze River.

To prevent further pollution resulting from enterprises along the Yangtze River, local authorities have moved two heavy industry enterprises.

In addition, the district also refused suggestions from real estate developers to build river-view housing estates on Kaisha Island. Instead, the district spent over 15 million yuan ($2.19 million) increasing the green area on the island.

Due to the improved ecosystem and increased green area, Kaisha village on Kaishan Island has been designated a national forest village and provincial green village.

According to local authorities, the district since 2021 has spent 630 million yuan building 40,900 mu of forest and repairing 10,700 mu of degraded forest.

The district is currently home to 42 provincial green villages, one national tree-planting base, and more than 20 municipal volunteer tree-planting bases.

The improved environment on Kaisha Island has also attracted many wild animals. Last year, 43 bird species were spotted on the island.  

This year, the district aims to build a 3,850-mu forest and introduce three more provincial green villages.

Green area in Tongzhou district, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: wxtzfb]

An aerial view of Zhouji Menghuan Island in Tongzhou district. [Photo/WeChat account: wxtzfb]